The Miami Heat started the game with a doubles team at Anthony Davis, but it wasn’t long before they found out there wasn’t much they could do to stop the great Los Angeles Lakers superstar.
On his debut in the NBA Finals, an animated Davis dominated, scoring 34 points, scoring 9 rebounds and blocking 3 shots to help the Lakers smash the 116-98 Heat on Wednesday and make the first game of the NBA Finals in Lake Buena Vista, Florida to win.
“It’s easy for AD,” said Markieff Morris, the Lakers forward, when asked about Davis’ first final game. “As I’ve said since I’ve been on this team, honestly if you ask me … we have LeBron [James]but I think he’s the best player in the world.
“He [does] it on both ends, he consistently does it every night, he gives you what you ask for every night. “
The debut of Davis’ finale is only surpassed by a few all-time greats. Since the NBA and ABA merged (1976-77), only Allen Iverson (48 points), Kevin Durant (36 points) and Michael Jordan (36 points) have scored more points than Davis in their first final game.
And when it comes to the Lakers ‘famous franchise history, Davis’ 34-point performance in Game 1 is only behind Shaquille O’Neal’s 43 points and George Mikan’s 42 points for most points by a player in his debut in the Lakers finals .
“It’s a great honor to be in this category with these guys,” said Davis, who made 10 free throws, one less than the entire Heat team in Game 1. “I mean, they did so much for the game, Hall of Famers, and for me to come out and act like that and get mentioned with these guys … that’s a huge honor, of course, but I want to be mentioned in categories with champions too, so that’s the next step. “
Davis, 27, has waited eight seasons to get here and has wasted no time making his presence felt. The heat opened by doubling Davis. As the ball swung towards James, the heat doubled James and he passed it on to Davis, who pressed a 3-pointer to start the game.
The heat took an early 13-point lead. But Miami didn’t have an answer for Davis, especially when the 6-foot-10 forward played the middle position. The Lakers left the Dwight Howard launch center and moved Davis to the center. From the point they fell 4:21 in the first quarter between 25 and 12, the Lakers topped the heat between 75 and 30 in the third quarter.
“I don’t think we were physically enough at first,” said James, who had 25 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists in Game 1. “You have to get a feel for how hard Miami is playing. I think they beat.” us in the mouth and we have a feel for it. And so we knew how hard we had to play if we were to try to make it a game. You know, from that moment when it was 23-10 we started playing with our skills. “
While the heat injuring Goran Dragic (plantar fascia), Jimmy Butler (ankle) and Bam Adebayo (shoulder) scored just 30 points during that Lakers lightning bolt, Davis scored 23 of his points in that period.
“We have 48 hours to find out what the next attack plan will be,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra of Davis. “He was extremely good tonight and we have to get better.”
Davis helped the Lakers end this massive run with a whirlwind when he scored a putback, a fast-break dunk, a 15-foot jumper, and then another dunk to give the Lakers an 87-55 lead , with 6:04 in the third. A lively Davis screamed on one of the dunks and screamed and scowled for another score as the Lakers overwhelmed Miami.
“I expect it from him,” said James when asked about Davis’ debut in the outstanding final. “I didn’t have to give him advice. We have been preparing for this moment all season. He has been preparing for this moment all season. I’m glad to be on the same floor and in the same uniform with him. He was once again a force in every facet of the game, offensive and defensive. “
James was all business during the first game and then during his post-game media interview session. His behavior was dead serious, as James knows from experience that he should not underestimate a team that fails and not celebrate too early.
“The best teacher in life is experience,” said James. “I’ve had moments in my career when you have all the momentum in the world and you felt like you were in control of the game and a game here or a game there could change the course of a series or the course of a series. ” Game.”
Davis doesn’t have James’ experience in the finals. But Davis said he doesn’t take anything for granted and that he felt the nerve playing at this level for the first time.
“This is my first time experiencing this,” said Davis. “Of course you want to come out and play well and you want to come out and win. I was always putting pressure on myself. I had the same thing [during] Also game 1 of the final of the Western Conference. When the ball is flipped up, it all goes away and it’s just basketball but all that leads to it is very excited.
“Your adrenaline is going early because you’re so excited just to be here and preparing to go out and play. It went away early but it was a great experience for me, great game 1. Job ain’t done. Us have three more. “
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